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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - New Steering Rack

Has anyone got one of the new Argentinian made steering racks fitted? Are they ok? I'd heard a couple of good comments about them in the past so took advantage of Rimmer Bros 15% sale and thought I'd try one. I'm not so sure now I've seen it, it's considerably different in the way it's made and looks quite a bit different. It also doesn't have an oil nipple.

My thoughts at the moment are to return it and stick with the old type - they also do exchange units at Rimmers.

John Payne

I've just had mine rebuilt by Kiley Clinton for £104.40 including shipping and VAT (plus whatever it cost me to send it to them). Very pleased with it. I expect buying a new Argentinian rack is cheaper, but I felt I could be more confident about the quality of one rebuilt in the Midlands.
Jonathan Severn

I had one rebuilt by Kiley Clinton about twenty years ago. That cost me 80 quid with no shipping, as they are only a few miles away.

I did opt to have the rack bar replaced, which probably added quite a bit to the cost. The wear on the rack bar was in the straight ahead position, and as that was where I would be travelling fastest (100MPH+) I figured it was a good investment.

Highly recommended.

Sorry, that doesn't answer your question.
Dave O'Neill 2

Ive got an argentinian rack in my TR4 - different model obviously but the principle is the same - no issues so far - no oil nipple because its "sealed for life"
S G Macfarlane

I hope it's okay, I have fitted one, had the first journey with it yesterday. It's a little firm, maybe it will be looser after a period.
Jan Kruber

I think I’m going to return it and get a recon one instead, save a few quid as well! While I’ve still got one to exchange I might as well, I can always go down the new route later if it doesn’t work out.
Thanks for the comments.

John Payne

I had an Argentinian rack (later, Triumph type) fitted it wasn't exactly the same as the one that came out but it has been fine for the 7 years since it was fitted.

It was stiff when first fitted but very soon loosened up with driving the car.


Nigel Atkins

Just planning to replace mine i found a spare rack I bought in 2010 which is also an Argentinian remake.
Beside some outer differences I was also wandering how good it would be?
To be honoust I clompletly forgot I had it on spare, as I was ready to buy one or get an old one reconditioned.


A de Best

The one I have in now was my first replacement since I had the car.
My first(Original 1975?) is on the photo on my previous reply.

The replacement (the one Im gonne replace now) was also extremly stiff after I installed it.
Turned out it hadnt been adjusted/shimmed? at all by the reconditioner(MGOC supplied).

The same I fear if I order another reconditioned one from one of the parts suppliers.
Id rather find a (local) shop who can do the work for me.

Nr 2 also doesnt have a bolt/nipple on the top:



A de Best

Must say this Keley-Clinton frim looks as a good option for reconditioning
A de Best

Arie,
look at my post just before your first post here to see how the Argentinian rack is, to save your effort I'll reprint it here -

"I had an Argentinian rack (later, Triumph type) fitted it wasn't exactly the same as the one that came out but it has been fine for the 7 years since it was fitted.

It was stiff when first fitted but very soon loosened up with driving the car."
Nigel Atkins

Thanks Nigel, I already have it lying arround but was thinking what to do with the old one from the photo and the one that is now still in the car.
Having them properly reconditioned is what im now thinking of but diffeculty is to find a thrustworthy company preferbly localy but if needed I might try the keiley-clinton shop.
A de Best

Well in the end I kept the new one, if it doesn't work out on the Mk1 I can always use it on my race car, it's got a fair bit of play so might be a good idea to change it soon.

I'll keep the old one in case I need an exchange or get it rebuilt by KC.
John Payne

You can use a left hand drive Morris Minor rack, apparently.
Graeme Williams

John, how is your experience with the new rack?

Got mine in but bl88dy hellfire, its like manualy turning a windmill round!!!
Its way to stif!!!
Anybody experiencece on adjusting the top with an alankey nr 12?
A de Best

Mine was stiff. It has loosened considerably but is still tighter than I would like. It doesn't self center without a little nudging. I think it will be fine in another 1000 miles or so.
Trevor Jessie

Unfortunately mine is still in its packaging!

I kept it and the old one (just in case!) but I’m still in the latter stages of painting the shell so it will be a while before I fit it - probably a month or two.

If it’s too tight I might not use it, there’s nothing worse than not having any self centering on a midget.

I’ll be interested to see how you get on trying to get yours right. Maybe remove the gaiters, get some oil in there and give it loads of turns back and forth to try and simulate a few miles driving?
John Payne

I wonder if this is a matter of re-alining the rack clamps when fitting a replacement. If these replacement ones vary from the originals the shims at the rack clamps and at the top of the steering column may all need to be reset. And if they are poorly assembled then the pre-load on the rack pinion may need adjusting too.
GuyW

I tinkered with the alignment but didn't attempt to adjust the preload. It was my intention to drive it a bit and then readjust as needed. Once it started loosening up I decided to just keep driving and spend my free time on bigger issues on other cars. This thread may be the push I need to re-examine the issue. But first I must address a squeaky spring issue on my Sprite.
Trevor Jessie

This thread was discussed between 12/05/2018 and 21/07/2018

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.